Inhaca Island
Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Inhaca Island Cruises & boat tours

Mozambique: Inhaca, Santa Maria, and Portuguese Islands Tour

Mozambique: Inhaca, Santa Maria, and Portuguese Islands Tour

Explore the Islands of Inhaca, Santa Maria, and Portugueses on a day trip from Maputo. Discover the natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and local culture of these islands. Begin your day with a visit to Inhaca Island, located about 40 km from Maputo. Explore the island's white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The island is a nature lover's paradise, offering opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and observing marine life, including coral reefs, colorful fish, and occasionally dolphins and whales. Follow trails that lead to mangroves and the Inhaca Biological Reserve, where you can observe a variety of birds and plants. Another highlight is the Inhaca Lighthouse, which offers spectacular panoramic views. Next, head to Santa Maria Island, located south of Inhaca. Known for its tranquility and untouched beauty, Santa Maria is ideal for those looking for peace and quiet amid nature. The waters around the island are perfect for water activities such as diving and fishing. Santa Maria is also famous for its mangrove canal, where you can take boat trips and observe the rich wildlife. The island has a more rustic and less developed environment, providing a more authentic experience close to nature. Finally, visit Portuguese Island, also known as Machangulo Island, a small piece of land located between the islands of Inhaca and Santa Maria. Although smaller and less known, it offers a unique experience due to its tranquility and the calm waters that surround it. Relax, have picnics, and explore the deserted beaches. The island is surrounded by coral reefs, making it a great spot for snorkeling and observing marine life. The island's atmosphere is one of isolation and serenity, ideal for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Maputo: Santa Maria, Inhaca & Portuguese Island daytrip

Maputo: Santa Maria, Inhaca & Portuguese Island daytrip

Here is our full trip itinerary: 08:00 - Departure from Maputo ( possibility of seeing dolphins on our way to the island and whales during whale season August - Late Actober ) 09:00 - Arrival at Hell's Gate & Machangulo for seightseeing ( Hell's Gate is a channel which divides Maputo mainland and Inhaca Island ) 09:15 - Arrival at Santa Maria ( for snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkel with fish in the coral reefs, Sea turtles do show up in the surface most of the times. We have some snacks, fruits and water for everyone ) 12:30 - Depart to Inhaca Village ( Sailing through Ponta Pundwine channel we might also encounter some flamingos ) 13:00 - Arrival at Inhaca Village ( for lunch at Restaurante Lucas, which our guests can choose from our 10 different meals that we offer, after lunch we will have a quick tour around the village centre ) 14:30/15 - Departure to Portuguese island ( takes only 5-7 minutes from Inhaca island to Portuguese Island, where we will be ending our day with a nice beach) 16:00 - Returning to Maputo ( possibility of seeing dolphins which we have all year round and whales only during whale season August - Late Ocober ) 17:00 - Arrival at Maputo

Inhaca Island Day Tour

Inhaca Island Day Tour

The activity includes, snorkeling at Santa Maria in the morning, after Santa Maria we go to Inhaca Island where you can enjoy sea-food Lunch and later visit Portuguese Island. It is a 1 hours boat ride from Maputo to Santa Maria Island. We meet you at the Maputo Harbour, soon after the tour brief we enjoy the boat ride. It is speculated that Vasco Da Gama would have sighted Inhaca island in 1497/98. The island was used as a trading post in the 1500,s mainly for ivory trade, however on of the most interesting features throughout the period of Portuguese trading was its fame as a haven of refuge for shipwrecked mariners working their way up the coast from the south. After indescribable hardships suffered on the long coast journey on foot, they always found the natives of Inhaca friendly and helpful. The first of these shipwrecks was the Galleon S. JOAO’ in 1552. After 3 months of traveling along the coast they reached Inhaca and were taken in by the tribe and king and offered food and hospitality and begged to stay until the next trading ship arrived.

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Our most recommended Inhaca Island Cruises & boat tours

Mozambique: Inhaca, Santa Maria, and Portuguese Islands Tour

Mozambique: Inhaca, Santa Maria, and Portuguese Islands Tour

Explore the Islands of Inhaca, Santa Maria, and Portugueses on a day trip from Maputo. Discover the natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and local culture of these islands. Begin your day with a visit to Inhaca Island, located about 40 km from Maputo. Explore the island's white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The island is a nature lover's paradise, offering opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and observing marine life, including coral reefs, colorful fish, and occasionally dolphins and whales. Follow trails that lead to mangroves and the Inhaca Biological Reserve, where you can observe a variety of birds and plants. Another highlight is the Inhaca Lighthouse, which offers spectacular panoramic views. Next, head to Santa Maria Island, located south of Inhaca. Known for its tranquility and untouched beauty, Santa Maria is ideal for those looking for peace and quiet amid nature. The waters around the island are perfect for water activities such as diving and fishing. Santa Maria is also famous for its mangrove canal, where you can take boat trips and observe the rich wildlife. The island has a more rustic and less developed environment, providing a more authentic experience close to nature. Finally, visit Portuguese Island, also known as Machangulo Island, a small piece of land located between the islands of Inhaca and Santa Maria. Although smaller and less known, it offers a unique experience due to its tranquility and the calm waters that surround it. Relax, have picnics, and explore the deserted beaches. The island is surrounded by coral reefs, making it a great spot for snorkeling and observing marine life. The island's atmosphere is one of isolation and serenity, ideal for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Maputo: Santa Maria, Inhaca & Portuguese Island daytrip

Maputo: Santa Maria, Inhaca & Portuguese Island daytrip

Here is our full trip itinerary: 08:00 - Departure from Maputo ( possibility of seeing dolphins on our way to the island and whales during whale season August - Late Actober ) 09:00 - Arrival at Hell's Gate & Machangulo for seightseeing ( Hell's Gate is a channel which divides Maputo mainland and Inhaca Island ) 09:15 - Arrival at Santa Maria ( for snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkel with fish in the coral reefs, Sea turtles do show up in the surface most of the times. We have some snacks, fruits and water for everyone ) 12:30 - Depart to Inhaca Village ( Sailing through Ponta Pundwine channel we might also encounter some flamingos ) 13:00 - Arrival at Inhaca Village ( for lunch at Restaurante Lucas, which our guests can choose from our 10 different meals that we offer, after lunch we will have a quick tour around the village centre ) 14:30/15 - Departure to Portuguese island ( takes only 5-7 minutes from Inhaca island to Portuguese Island, where we will be ending our day with a nice beach) 16:00 - Returning to Maputo ( possibility of seeing dolphins which we have all year round and whales only during whale season August - Late Ocober ) 17:00 - Arrival at Maputo

Inhaca Island Day Tour

Inhaca Island Day Tour

The activity includes, snorkeling at Santa Maria in the morning, after Santa Maria we go to Inhaca Island where you can enjoy sea-food Lunch and later visit Portuguese Island. It is a 1 hours boat ride from Maputo to Santa Maria Island. We meet you at the Maputo Harbour, soon after the tour brief we enjoy the boat ride. It is speculated that Vasco Da Gama would have sighted Inhaca island in 1497/98. The island was used as a trading post in the 1500,s mainly for ivory trade, however on of the most interesting features throughout the period of Portuguese trading was its fame as a haven of refuge for shipwrecked mariners working their way up the coast from the south. After indescribable hardships suffered on the long coast journey on foot, they always found the natives of Inhaca friendly and helpful. The first of these shipwrecks was the Galleon S. JOAO’ in 1552. After 3 months of traveling along the coast they reached Inhaca and were taken in by the tribe and king and offered food and hospitality and begged to stay until the next trading ship arrived.

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What are the best Inhaca Island Cruises & boat tours?

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Other Sightseeing Options in Inhaca Island

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What people are saying about Inhaca Island

Overall rating

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
(8 reviews)
5
5 out of 5 stars

It was a very nice Trip. Alone on a lonley island with nice snorkel Place. We see some Dolphins. Good Food and nice guys. Thanks a lot.

5
5 out of 5 stars

The tour was well organized, safety was a priority, crew were respectful, helpful and friendly. it is a must do for every tourist.

5
5 out of 5 stars

Everything was perfect. Simba was great! Would highly recommend this to anyone